Tag: ISRAEL

LGBT Jerusalem Celebrates Purim

LGBTQ Families Celebrate Purim in Jerusalem

March 28, 2016

On Thursday last week, LGBT families in Israel celebrated the first ever LGBT family event held by Jerusalem’s LGBT community groups. Members of Jerusalem’s LGBT community celebrated a daylong Purim festival called Puriya b’Tachana. The event, which included arts and crafts projects for children and parents, was promoted as an “LGBTQ-friendly Purim celebration for the… More LGBTQ Families Celebrate Purim in Jerusalem

World Jewish GLBT Congress

World Congress of GLBT Jews to hold Shabbaton in D.C.

March 26, 2016

The World Congress of GLBT Jews, with Bet Mishpachah and GLOE as co-hosts are holding a Shabbaton in Washington DC, at the DC Jewish Community Center, next month from April 8th to April 10th. The Program and contact information is detailed below. The World Congress is a networking resource for LGBTQ Jews from around the… More World Congress of GLBT Jews to hold Shabbaton in D.C.

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Unrepentant Convicted Palestinian Terrorist Rasmieh Odeh Plays Victim to get U.S. Citizenship

February 26, 2016

Rasmea Yousef Odeh , born 1947/1948; also known as Rasmea Yousef, Rasmieh Steve, and Rasmieh Joseph Steve) is a Palestinian woman and former United States citizen. She served as associate director at the Arab American Action Network in Chicago, Illinois.

Odeh was convicted in 1970 by an Israeli military court of involvement in fatal terrorist bombings, and in 2014 by a US federal jury of immigration fraud. Odeh was arrested in March 1969, and in 1970 was convicted and sentenced by an Israeli military court to life in prison for her involvement in two terrorist bombings in Jerusalem and involvement in an illegal organization, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
… More Unrepentant Convicted Palestinian Terrorist Rasmieh Odeh Plays Victim to get U.S. Citizenship

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Is Hatem Abuddayeh Intersecting at Creating Change 2016

February 2, 2016

Hatem Abudayyeh has been with the Arab American Action Network (AAAN) since 1999, and was appointed Executive Director in 2003. The son of Palestinian immigrants who themselves were leaders in Chicago’s Arab community, Hatem was born in Chicago. Back in 2010 the FBI raided the home of Hatem Abudayeh, in connection with a terrorism investigation at Creating Change 2016… More Is Hatem Abuddayeh Intersecting at Creating Change 2016

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Naming Participants in the Creating Change 2016 LGBTQ Jew Bash Fest

January 31, 2016

The Mob: Who screamed for Israel’s destruction; who displayed hate above unity of purpose; who knew exactly what they were doing and who were the nochschleppers ? SCROLL DOWN for names. By Melanie Nathan, January 30, 2016 Last week the halls of The Hilton Hotel in Chicago, became the scene of a near riot.  The… More Naming Participants in the Creating Change 2016 LGBTQ Jew Bash Fest

Thanks You from A Wider bridge

LGBT Leaders Call on Task Force for Independent Review of Creating Change Debacle

January 27, 2016

By Melanie Nathan January 28, 2016. I am proud to be a signatory to this letter addressed to the LGBTQ Task Force. I am also proud to stand with noted and admired leaders in our community.  The letter speaks for itself.  Thank you to Roberta Kaplan and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum for leading the effort on… More LGBT Leaders Call on Task Force for Independent Review of Creating Change Debacle

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Will LGBTQ Task Force Survive The Creating Change Controversy Financially

January 26, 2016

By Melanie Nathan, January 26, 2016. When the National LGBTQ Task Force found itself in the midst of an Anti-Semitic tempest, at their Creating Change Conference this week,  San Francisco activist and blogger Michael Petrelis was curious about the organizations financial health and so he explored.  It seems its heading for change, perhaps downhill!  Carrying… More Will LGBTQ Task Force Survive The Creating Change Controversy Financially

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Equality California Calls Out National LGBTQ Task Force for Disservice to LGBT Movement

January 26, 2016

“…. conference organizers failed to defend these organizations and correct the false information and gross distortions….,” EQCA By Melanie Nathan, January 26, 2016. Equality California (EQCA) has posted a strong and pointed statement, calling out The National Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Task Force, for its poor handling of the debacle at Creating Change 2016,… More Equality California Calls Out National LGBTQ Task Force for Disservice to LGBT Movement

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Israeli Gay Couple Discover Surrogate Baby Mistake

January 8, 2016

Wrong Baby From Surrogate Mother in Nepal Posted By Melanie Nathan, January 08, 2016. Several weeks after completing the surrogate birth process in Nepal, a gay Israeli couple learned that the baby girl they’d been told was theirs and had been caring for is not their daughter. The error was revealed by the routine tissue… More Israeli Gay Couple Discover Surrogate Baby Mistake

Banki'is FB page

17 Year old Israeli Dies from Stab Wounds Inflicted at Jerusalem Pride

August 2, 2015

Reposted by Melanie Nathan, August 02, 2015. An Israeli woman, Shira Banki, 17, has died of the stab wounds inflicted on her by an anti-gay radical right wing ultra religious fundamentalist at the Jerusalem Pride parade. Banki was one of the six people injured, two seriously, in a stabbing at Jerusalem Gay Pride. The detained… More 17 Year old Israeli Dies from Stab Wounds Inflicted at Jerusalem Pride

Jerusalem pride attack stab

Convicted Radical in another Stabbing Attack at Jerusalem Gay Pride

July 30, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, July 30, 2015. UPDATED: August 02, 2015. I am devastated to report that a beautiful young woman celebrating ‪#‎PRIDE‬ has been taken from us – Shira Banki, 17, has died of the stab wounds inflicted on her by an anti-gay radical right wing ultra religious fundamentalist at the Jerusalem Pride parade. May… More Convicted Radical in another Stabbing Attack at Jerusalem Gay Pride

Davis in Israel for Pride 2015.

Impressions of Israel by Nigerian LGBT Activist Invited to Tel Aviv Pride

June 15, 2015

June 15, 2015, Posted by Melanie Nathan Respected Nigerian born LGBTI activist and human rights defender, Davis Mac-lyalla, who has personally experienced unconscionable persecution and discrimination, attended what turned out to be Tel Aviv’s largest ever Pride festivities this past week. I asked him to write a brief note about his experience at Pride. Here… More Impressions of Israel by Nigerian LGBT Activist Invited to Tel Aviv Pride

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Israel Includes Same-Sex Spouses under Law of Return Immigration

August 12, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, August 12 2014, Israel has decided that the law of return includes non-Jewish same sex spouses. Directly form the Haaretz report: The Law of Return, which gives Diaspora Jews and non-Jewish family members the right to immigrate to Israel, also applies to legally married same-sex spouses, Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Tuesday.… More Israel Includes Same-Sex Spouses under Law of Return Immigration

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South African Rally for Israel Speaks Peace in Face of Years of Rising Anti-Semitism

August 5, 2014

Over 10,000 turn out for South African Rally to Support Israel Posted by Melanie Nathan, Aug 05, 104. Johannesburg – Aug 04- 2014. On Sunday, more than 12,000 South Africans, representing a broad spectrum of society, came together to stand united in solidarity with Israel, while condemning the use of terror by Hamas against the citizens of… More South African Rally for Israel Speaks Peace in Face of Years of Rising Anti-Semitism

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Gay Holocaust Memorial Unveiled in Tel Aviv

January 11, 2014

by Melanie Nathan, January 11, 2014. A memorial honoring gays and lesbians persecuted by the Nazis during World War II has been unveiled in Tel Aviv. The memorial depicts a pink triangle, the symbol gays were forced by the Nazis to wear in concentration camps. The memorial’s dedication is in Hebrew, English and German: “In… More Gay Holocaust Memorial Unveiled in Tel Aviv

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South Africa’s Jewish Community Mourns Nelson Mandela with Past President Mbeki

December 8, 2013

Songs and prayers in all religious congregations all over South Africa | “As we celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela, its become the central task that we reflect on what needs to be done to sustain his legacy to ensure we do not betray what he and other sacrificed for and stood for” former President… More South Africa’s Jewish Community Mourns Nelson Mandela with Past President Mbeki

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The part of London that is not safe for Gays and Jews

June 17, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 17, 2013. Two men were arrested in January after a series of incidents in London saw members of the public harassed by self-styled vigilantes who posted footage of their activities online. One included a clip showing a man being subjected to homophobic abuse. The incidents are believed to be linked… More The part of London that is not safe for Gays and Jews

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Arrests in 2009 Tel Aviv Gay Youth Center Shootings

June 6, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 06, 2013. In a dramatic  and long awaited development Israeli Police have arrested 3 suspects in the Tel Aviv 2009 gay youth center shooting, that left 2 dead and 10 injured. It is believed that the motivation for the killings was based on personal revenge, according to a report by Eli Senyor… More Arrests in 2009 Tel Aviv Gay Youth Center Shootings

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Micha Peled’s Globalization Trilogy Comes to Marin

June 4, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 04, 2013. China Blue, is one of three movies being screened from Bay Area filmmaker, Micha Peled’s Globalization Trilogy. The film will be playing at the Rafael on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:00. China Blue focuses on teenager Jasmin Li, who leaves her home to work in a far-away blue jeans factory. This… More Micha Peled’s Globalization Trilogy Comes to Marin

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Israeli Politicians Vow Equality

January 6, 2013

Israel’s politicians give an unprecedented pledge to legislate pro gay laws  Representative of Israeli political parties promise more action on LGBT rights during a panel debating the upcoming elections and gay rights 06 January 2013 | By Dan Littauer, Shabi Gatenio During a political panel organized by the Aguda, Israel’s largest LGBT rights group, representatives… More Israeli Politicians Vow Equality

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New Israeli Gay Film Follows Yossi and Jagger

January 5, 2013

Yossi revisited with Israeli director Eytan Fox Israeli director Eytan Fox’s Yossi & Jagger (2002) was one of the most memorable of gay films, a tale of truly star-crossed lovers—soldiers in the Israeli army. It ended heartbreakingly with the death of Jagger, and for anyone who has ever wondered what became of his partner, Fox’s… More New Israeli Gay Film Follows Yossi and Jagger

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Israel MP performs gay marriages as protest

January 4, 2013

To protest claims same-sex marriage will destroy the Jewish people Mock gay weddings preformed outside Tel Aviv’s Rabbinical court in protest of a ring-wing religious candidate stating that they would destroy the Jewish people 04 January 2013 | By Dan Littauer, Andrew Potts, VIA GAYSTAR News Following a statement by a religious right-wing electoral candidate… More Israel MP performs gay marriages as protest

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UN Watch Calls for Removal of HRW Board member citing Anti-Semitic Remarks

December 30, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, December 30, 2012. Amongst its many human rights related missions, Human Rights Watch works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people’s rights, with activists representing a multiplicity of identities and issues. According to their LGBT mission statement  they “document and expose abuses based on sexual orientation and gender identity worldwide – including… More UN Watch Calls for Removal of HRW Board member citing Anti-Semitic Remarks

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Who is Hamas

November 22, 2012

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 22, 2012. Hamas is a Palestinian fundamentalist Islamic terror organization and is considered such by the governments of the U.S., Israel, the U.K., and the European Union. During the last 10 days, over half of Israel’s population, about 5 million people, suffered from rockets launched from Gaza into Israel. Gaza is ruled by Hamas. Hamas Terrorists Firing Rockets… More Who is Hamas

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Israel bombarded by rockets and mortars assassinates Hamas leader

November 14, 2012

Consulate General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest Advisory: Since the beginning of the year, more than 800 rockets and mortar shells have been fired at Israel, a record amount since the end of Operation Cast Lead (January 2009). This peak is similar to the attacks that occurred in 2007-8. More than 125 missiles and… More Israel bombarded by rockets and mortars assassinates Hamas leader

My Jewish Daughters

Why Jews Should NOT Vote for Mitt Romney

October 21, 2012

Protecting Medicare and Social Security, fighting for good jobs and a clean environment, standing up for women’s rights and equality are Jewish values. By Melanie Nathan, October 21, 2012. When Anne Romney had the audacity to tout her husband’s religious escapade as ‘The Mission,’ as if akin to serving in the U.S. military, she gave… More Why Jews Should NOT Vote for Mitt Romney

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Seattle to Screen Film about Palestinian Gays Fleeing to Israel

October 6, 2012

Posted by Melanie Nathan, Oct 06, 2012. A Wider Bridge and Hillel UW will host a screening of “The Invisible Men” and a discussion with its director, Israeli filmmaker Yariv Mozer. The film won the Special Jury Award at Tel Aviv’s international documentary film festival “ Doc Aviv 2012” in and the Outstanding Documentary Feature… More Seattle to Screen Film about Palestinian Gays Fleeing to Israel